"Does anyone else want to give it a try Sinaan? Or the JiaWei? What about you, Tongxi?"XiangBei asked younger boys.
"Can I? Is everyone allowed?"
"Can I try too?"
For a moment, there was a risk of the roof of the bamboo workshop being lifted off. ONE-BY-ONE, everyone was given the chance to create their own glasswork. As they admired the crystal-like creations before them, even Xiangbei was astonished by the wonder, excitement, and various whimsies that could create such an incredible magical world.
The air was filled with a sense of pride and accomplishment, and even the previously tense atmosphere relaxed, until the distant sound of a loud commotion reached their ears.
"They're back! The hunting party! They must have had a successful hunt."
"Quick, let's go greet them!"
The young people's dashed toward the estate, leaving only the big fool behind, still determinedly crafting his handmade creation. Indeed, he was engrossed in it, showcasing the creativity of a genius artist.
It turned out that some things were truly driven by that one percent talent and ninety-nine percent effort. In just half a day, it was impossible to pull the Big Fool away from the glasswork bench.
"Xiangbei, you go ahead. It's almost dinner time, and there are many things waiting for you to arrange. I'll stay here with him for a while and then take him back to rest after he falls asleep."
"Alright then, Tongxi, come over after he falls asleep, and we'll have hotpot!"
"Yes, go ahead, see you later."
Xiangbei packed a few wide-mouthed glass vessels into her backpack.
Tonight's dinner table would feature a variety of fruits, salad, and pearl milk tea. Maybe she could mix some lemon soda and make a homemade cocktail, a pear blossom mojito perhaps? It would surely be even more stunning. She looked forward to it.
As Chengmo passed through the excited crowd and saw Xiangbei approaching from afar, his whole face lit up, his eyes sparkling with starlight, and he held up a tiger skin, presenting it straight to her, "Xiaobei, look, I hunted this tiger for you, using the arrows you soaked in medicine, straight into its right eye, a fatal blow! This is our trophy. It's for you. Do you like it?"
"All of the arrows were soaked in medicine, so this trophy is yours alone. I really don't want such a precious gift," Xiangbei's innermost thoughts were actually reluctant to touch the fur of large wild animals. Would harming it be more serious than harming oneself, potentially violating the law by harming a tiger? Oh dear, she shuddered at the thought. Xiangbei found an excuse for her lack of gratitude, "Besides, as a delicate little girl, I can't handle the dominance of the forest king. And I'm not an old person who needs tiger skin to keep warm."
"An old person? Hmm, yes, my little girl looks the cutest in a mink fur or deer skin," Chengmo affectionately pinched Xiangbei's nose, his mind made up.
All the game had already begun to be divided and sorted. The furs were cleaned and handed back to the hunters after a simple treatment. Everyone was eagerly awaiting the thrilling moment when Tong, the eldest, was selected to announce the honor of the brave.
It seemed like the Huo family's guards had a good haul this time. Not only did they acquire buffalo and leopard skins, but they also harvested quite a few wild goats, spotted deer, and even wild boars! Did they sweep through the mountains? In comparison, the Cheng family's guards seemed quite conservative, with only buffalo hides and a large quantity of birds and mountain goats. It seemed like they were simply preparing ingredients for dinner.
Xiangbei chuckled inwardly; it seemed like Chengmo's flattery had hit the mark. Sure enough, General Huo was pushed to the forefront, enthusiastically planning to take the tiger skin back to the Capital as a gift for his father. It was a clean shot, and the Tong family congratulated him warmly, inviting the old Huo to visit again next time.
Young General Huo Qixiang also bagged a tiger, with the sword piercing through its neck. The fur around the wound showed traces of blood, evidence of his desperate thrust when the tiger pounced, even before he could draw his bow. It was his first encounter with life and death, and his first honor. In the future, he might have many more hunts or even battlefields to conquer, but Xiangbei believed that this young man, who proudly stepped on the forest king today, would bravely face each challenge.
Chengmo stepped forward lightly, bending to present the tiger skin to the old herbalist, "Master Tong, who has spent decades in the mountains, guarding the people here. Your long-term charitable donations of medicinal materials have benefited us, and I present today's hunt as a tribute to you. May it bring you some warmth on cold winter nights?"